Not Like Me
A Field Guide for Influencing a Diverse World
- Evangelism & Missions
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Published: 2010
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Publisher's Description
We live in a diverse world filled with unprecedented opportunity. According to author Eric Michael Bryant in Not Like Me, formerly titled Peppermint-Filled Piñatas, we can become agents of change creating genuine unity among people from a variety of backgrounds and belief systems through our relationships. Through humorous stories and pointed insights gleaned from Eric’s own personal experiences and failures, the experiences of others, and the life and teachings of Jesus, you will discover how to move beyond ethnic, racial, cultural, or ideological barriers towards genuine friendship with others. In our nation, an “uncivil war” is raging. Liberals call for racial reconciliation and tolerance while conservatives tend to hide from our pluralistic world or fight against it. None of these approaches will last. We need to create a new future that connects to God’s heart. We can remove the religious baggage of Christianity to discover the world Jesus intended. Followers of Christ will be inspired to actively engage the world in order to overcome stereotypes placed upon us and influence those who have not been interested in Jesus because of these stereotypes. In addition, spiritual seekers will find that when stripped away from the religion created around him, Jesus’ dream for our world is remarkable and refreshing. In this new world, we can discover how to resolve conflict, overcome bitterness, create a better future, develop diverse communities, and enjoy our diverse world. Not Like Me also includes a brief article after each chapter with practical ways to apply the principles presented in that chapter. The contributors include: Ed Stetzer, Amena Brown, Margaret Feinberg, Kevin Harney, Dr. Gerardo Marti, Kim Martinez, Lon Wong, Mark DeYmaz, Princess Zulu, Dan Kimball, and Erwin McManus (Foreword).
Endorsements (11)
“As a new follower of Jesus this book inspired me to live the kind of life Jesus calls us to live. Jesus is the original diversity practitioner, loving and welcoming all to Him, and Not Like Me inspires us to follow His lead. Thank you, Eric, for reminding us to live this powerful and essential message.”
“Eric Michael Bryant communicates a bridge building message with grace and love. It’s worth reading and definitely worth living.”
“Winsome, honest, theologically grounded—Bryant’s work calls us to move beyond the theory of bridge building to everyday, practical choices for actually loving others as Jesus loved.”
“Not Like Me gets to the heart of our emotions to invoke in us the desire to be more like Jesus; to reach out to others, to face our own selfishness and be about Jesus’s mission. Thanks, Eric, for this challenging book!”
“God didn’t design us to be rule-followers. We were created to passionately love him and his creation—the wonderfully unique folks that God uses to interrupt our lives. In Not Like Me, Eric challenges us to engage that call. It’s clever. It’s fun. The book will force you to rethink your mission and your ministry. It’ll also leave you with minty fresh breath.”
“Authors ought to write with authenticity and books ought to be enjoyable to read. This book is both. Eric Bryant is the real deal. And Not Like Me will challenge the way you think while putting a smile on your face!”
“Eric writes with authenticity, humility and passion. Using his own story of transformation as a starting point, he encourages and calls the Church to demonstrate a love that is not blind but embracing. This book will move the Church toward living with eyes and arms wide open.”
Dr. Mary Glenn
“Eric Bryant is a Catalyst! He lives with reckless abandon in the constant pursuit of knowing, leading and becoming more like Jesus, and representing a fresh expression of the Gospel to those around him. You will experience what relational evangelism could, should and does look like in the pages of Not Like Me. A great read for leaders, leaders, young and old. Plan to walk away refreshed, energized and equipped with new lenses through which to see the world, your community, and your friends.”
“Not Like Me is all about the heart and the how of evangelism. Bryant’s style and substance reflect a refreshing departure from ineffective, shame-based witnessing techniques… and a return to the simple and compelling compassion of Christ.”
“This book could have also been called, ‘Missional Living for Dummies.’ It is a must read for anyone who wishes to live for Jesus in urban post-Christian America.”
“The book was easy to read, but it doesn’t mean that you can finish it in one session of light reading. It provokes a lot of questions and a self-examination. It was funny, and like any other funny writings, it draws you to read with expectations; then it surprises you. Also it was a special kind of humor since the author was tickling us with a tip of a sword. It is a new type of prophetic writing. It confronts strongly without being judgmental, and it doesn’t impose standards that are unapproachable. The general spirit of the book is ‘Yes, we can live this productive and meaning ful life among any kind of people.’ I’m encouraged a lot reading the book and encouraging others to do so, and focused my life once again on the things that count.”
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